Some creative gifts for music trivia winners

Sunday

Dec 15, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Dear Jerry:

Dear Jerry:

At our Christmas party this year, we are conducting your Holiday Musical Trivia Quiz ("Seacoast Sunday," Dec. 1, 2013). An eclectic assortment of guests will be attending the event. One of our neighbors is playing the piano. He now knows every song you listed with the quiz.

My husband and children insist we dispense prizes for every answer. I want the prizes to be as creative as your musical trivia quiz. What should I buy?

— Nicole S.

Raleigh, N.C.

Dear Nicole:

For readers who missed my Dec. 1 column, you can purchase a copy from your newspaper or make a copy at your public library. In response to Nicole's letter, the quiz questions and the quiz prizes can be in sync. Here are some ideas.

Question No. 1. The first quiz question pertains to "Silent Night." That leaves you with many options. Since the song has been recorded by soloists, groups, choirs and musicians, a "Silent Night" CD is easy to acquire. Or, consider a vintage copy of the sheet music. In addition, there are books about the song and its history. In the fiction category, there is even a mystery titled "Silent Night" and authored by Mary Higgins Clark. In the "Silent Night" arena, your prize possibilities are infinite.

Question No. 2. "Jingle Bells" has a 156-year history. On the Internet, plug in the relevant search words (i.e., "Jingle Bells") and a host of items will appear. In addition to songs and publications, you can buy packages of round, silver Jingle Bells in various sizes.

Question No. 3. Look for books about the history of Christmas. There are limitless choices.

Question No. 4. Look for recordings, videos, or books about "The Nutcracker Ballet."

Questions No. 5, through No. 8. Prizes include a CD of "White Christmas," a DVD of "Holiday Inn" (the film, not the hotel chain), a vintage movie poster, books about Irving Berlin, etc.

Questions No. 9 through No. 13. In every price range, you can find dreidels, menorahs and other Hanukkah paraphernalia.

Question No. 14. Get a CD of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," a DVD of "Meet Me In St. Louis," a vintage poster, etc.

Question No. 15. "It's A Wonderful Life" is available in DVD, vintage posters, books and more.

Question No. 16. The song "Silver Bells" and the movie "The Lemon Drop Kid" are readily accessible.

Question No. 17. The original recording of "Jingle Bell Rock" is still sold on CDs.

Question No. 18 and No. 19. You can buy "How The Grinch Stole Christmas!" and other Dr. Seuss books. Depending on how much you wish to spend, they are available in hardback, paperback, first edition, special editions, inscribed by the author, etc.

Question No. 20. In many forms, you can purchase "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and other books starring "Lucy."

Question No. 21. "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" on CDs and Santa Claus ornaments are sold by the thousands.

Shop at a large general bookstore or visit some online Web sites. If you decide on the latter, you will be successful on book sites (e.g., www.abe.com, www.bookfinder.com) or shopping Web sites (e.g., www.amazon.com, www.froogle.com).

In addition to "Holiday Musical Trivia Quiz" prizes, the above-mentioned items serve well as holiday gifts. Meanwhile, they are just examples. As always, use your imagination.

Jerry Romansky is a syndicated columnist. Readers are invited to write in English or Spanish: Ask Jerry, P.O. Box 42444, Washington DC 20015. E-mail askjerry@earthlink.net and (because of spam situation) write the name of your newspaper in subject heading. Questions of popular interest are answered in the column. Unpublished letters cannot be answered individually.

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